AWOL police officer arrested for murder

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan  – After eluding authorities for more than 13 years, one of four former police officers linked to the killing of a jail officer was arrested yesterday in Tumauini, Isabela.

Macario Baquiran, a former member of the Tumauini police office, was arrested for allegedly killing jail officer Edwin Cabauatan in 2001, according to Senior Supt. Sotero Ramos Jr., director of the provincial police.

After Cabauatan’s death, Baquiran went AWOL (absence without official leave), prompting authorities to tag him as the province’s most wanted man, said town police chief Chief Inspector Billy Mangaling.

Mangaling said Baquiran and his colleagues, who he declined to identify, were first charged with homicide before the sala of Cabagan Judge Conrado Manaois. The judge upgraded the case to murder after Baquiran went into hiding. – Raymond Catindig